Celebrate Our Successes With ELSA

January 7, 2021January 7, 2021 Category: Advocacy Posted by Mary Fete

Happy New Year! We’re entering 2021 with a great deal of optimism from what we’ve accomplished with the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) over the past two years. But we have lots of work to do this year to drive ELSA to the finish line.

Can we count on your help?

How ELSA Did in the 116th Congress

There was a lot to be thankful for as we entered the 117th Congress on January 3, 2021. While ELSA was not signed into law in the last session, we still have plenty to celebrate from the 116th Congress.

• ELSA was one of the most cosponsored bills on the Hill with 313 House cosponsors and 53 Senate cosponsors. We will use that massive amount of support to get ELSA off on the right path as soon as possible in the 117th.
• ELSA successfully passed the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee, which had primary jurisdiction over the bill.
• ELSA was part of two House legislative hearings in the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee and the Education & Labor Committee.
• We built a large, powerful coalition of grassroots advocates like you and other professional medical organizations to expand our reach on the Hill. Without YOU, none of this would have been possible.

Yes, we lost our two amazing House bill leads and some of our other cosponsors. But we’re not disheartened! We’ll have some exciting news to share soon (once we’re allowed 😊).

In fact, there will be over 62 new Congressional members who will need to be educated about ELSA and your family stories.

Join Us for Advocacy Day

The NFED Advocacy Day will be a virtual event once more in 2021. The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act (ELSA) must be reintroduced to a new Congress, which will be the focus of this year’s advocacy event. We invite you to join advocates from around the nation on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Raise your voice in advocacy from the comfort of your home!

During our Virtual Advocacy Day, we’ll be educating legislators about ectodermal dysplasias, congenital anomalies and fighting to get ELSA passed in this session of the U.S. Congress. Advocates, like you, will speak to your senators and representatives (or their staff) through pre-arranged phone calls or zoom meetings.

We plan to partner you on calls with other ELSA advocates from your area who participate. However, if there isn’t anyone else participating from your area, you will still get meetings.

All hands on deck! We need EVERYONE to participate this year. Are you in?

Sign Up for Virtual Advocacy Day

As you can see, we have a lot to accomplish this year and need your help pushing ELSA toward the finish line. See you on April 28th, fellow advocates!